Hay causing tummy issues??

[Ali925]

I have been giving my bunnies the same hay for over 2 years now I think?  It’s American Pet Diner Timothy Gold.  They have never had any problems with it but this most recent batch looked/smelled different than normal.  It’s not bad at all, but is richer green in color, no hardy stems (that can poke them in the eye) and very soft short pieces.  They aren’t rejecting it and I’m guessing it’s just a later cut?  I don’t know much about hay.  But my question is could this cut be richer in nutrients?  One of my bunnies (Blu) is prone to extra mushy poop if we give him too many veggies, certain veggies, or who knows what else.  He’ll get a bout of random mushy poop every few months and we have taken him to the vet, turns out he’s just sensitive, so we just watch him. 

He is an excellent hay eater compared to my other bunny.  This week, after he’s been eating this new hay for a few days, he’s had a lot of mushy poop and larger amounts of it.  I don’t think anything is wrong with the hay, Oreo my other bunny is completely fine.  We haven’t changed his food or anything so now we’re wondering if it’s the hay causing the tummy upset??  Yesterday he didn’t eat all morning, fought me with simethicone, I drowned some pellets in simethicone and he ate them.  He doesn’t normally get pellets so it was a big treat to entice him to eat.  Eventually he came around and is perfectly fine now with eating but I’m just trying to figure out if the hay is the issue.  There is some more mushy poop again today.  He’s acting normal though.  I have 3 more boxes from the same batch and I really don’t want that to be the problem!! 

 

Sorry this is so long, thanks!!

[Sarita]

I wouldn’t think so. I know Blu is about 4 years old now – just checked and sometimes mushy poo is caused by dental problems and this is the age when that can sometimes start.

[Megabunny]

I’ve hear: that’s 3rd cut hay can bother cow stomachs because it’s richer. But that’s the extent of my knowledge on later cut hay.

[Ali925]

Okay thank you for your comments! Sarita I’ll be taking him for his yearly soon so I’ll see if it’s his teeth causing issues. He’s totally fine with eating now though, just that morning. So wouldn’t that indicate no issue with teeth? Thanks so much! If bunnies have IBS maybe that’s why Blu has! Thankfully he doesn’t get bothered by the extra mushy poop. Just our floor!

[Author]

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